Classes and registration

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) promotes knowledge, understanding, and practice of dance internationally and seeks to accomplish this through promotion of dance, educating and training students and teachers, and annual RAD examinations, which set standards and reward achievement. All of our academy ballet teachers are educated in the RAD method, from our Tiny Tots classes to our Advanced 2 and adult classes. Our goal at the academy is to provide the highest quality ballet training to all of our students, whether this is their life passion or a healthy hobby.

Dance Academy classes

Early ballet

All classes below are for students in Pre-K and kindergarten classes. All classes listed below are semester enrollments, which will run from either August–December (fall), or January–May (spring), depending on enrollment. Students must re-register each semester.

Tiny Tots Ballet

Age 3 by September 1^st of academic year

Introduces students to their first year of dance training. Coordination, rhythm, body awareness, and class discipline are emphasized through guided, creative, age-appropriate activities. Students are introduced to elementary ballet terminology, positions, and movements.

Beginning Ballet

Age 4 by September 1^st of academic year

Full of age-appropriate movement, songs, games and exercises. Classes consist of activities designed to increase children’s awareness, understanding, and control of their bodies in space and time. Exercises develop basic dance skills such as coordination, balance, spatial awareness and ability to cooperate and dance with others. Classes include practice in all locomotor steps and creative, expressive dancing to music.

Pre-Primary

Age 5 by September 1^st of academic year

Consists of the Pre-Primary set of dance exercises designed by the Royal Academy of Dance—which prepare children for starting ballet—and the creative exploration of the four elements of dance: body, space, time, and effort. Children develop coordination, balance, control, and awareness of space, rhythm, and effort qualities. They also develop their abilities to learn movement combinations and cooperate and dance well with others. Classes include practice in all locomotor steps, expressive dancing to music, and the preparation of creative dances for performances.

Graded ballet

All classes listed below are for students currently attending elementary, middle or high school classes. All classes listed below are full year enrollments, which run from August–May of the academic year.

Primary

Age 6 by September 1^st of academic year
(School grade 1^st)

The beginning of classical ballet technique is introduced in this class which includes the study of proper placement, partner and group work, and musicality. Students will meet once a week for an hour.

Grade 1–Grade 5/Pre–Pointe

At least age 7 by September 1 of academic year, no older than age 15
(School grades 2^nd–6^th)

A progression of ballet technique and performance qualities based upon the Royal Academy of Dance Graded Syllabus. Students will meet twice a week for two hours total. Grade 5 students will also be enrolled in the one-hour grade 5 pre-pointe class, which is specifically designed to prepare students for pointe work in the Intermediate Foundations class. Students must pass the grade 5 RAD exam in order to move on into Intermediate Foundations and above.

Intermediate and Advanced

Intermediate Foundations, Intermediate, Advanced Foundations, Advanced 1 & Advanced 2

Must have passed grade 5 RAD exam to enter higher-level ballet classes (unless able to prove ability)
At least age 11 by September 1 of academic year, through age 18
(School grades 7^th–12^th)

A more in-depth look and study of ballet technique, these classes also include the study of pointe work. For classes after grade 5, enrollment is based on the completion and passing of the RAD exams. Class times will increase as students progress through the age levels, starting with 3.5 hours per week in Intermediate Foundations and ending with 5 hours per week in Advanced 2. Please note that Advanced 2 is a two year course for those who have passed the Advanced 1 exam.

Students who take and pass the Advanced 2 RAD exam may register with RAD and use the examination on college applications or other performing arts-based applications. Please see the RAD tab above and their website for more information on what it means to graduate from RAD. Don’t forget to check out our Dance Work Scholarship, available to all students in Intermediate Foundations through Advanced 2.

All classes listed below are for students currently attending middle or high school classes. All classes listed below are semester enrollments, which will run from either August–December (fall), or January–May (spring), depending on enrollment. Students must re-register each semester.

Modern Dance and Choreography
At least age 11 by September 1st of academic year, through age 18
(School grades 6^th–12^th)

Modern dance skills are developed for beginners and students with some experience. Students as a class choreograph a dance that they perform at the spring performance with the modern dance skills they learn through the semester. Summer students will perform an in-studio performance for their classes.

Ballet Plus: Intermediate and Advanced
Must be enrolled in an upper-level core ballet class (Intermediate Foundations–Advanced 2)

Ballet Plus is a supplemental ballet class for students enrolled in our upper division courses. This class is meant as additional review and studio time for students. This class is not required but highly recommended.

Progressive Ballet Technique/Conditioning and Fitness
Must be enrolled in an upper-level core ballet class (Intermediate Foundations–Advanced Foundations)

Our Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT)/Conditioning and Fitness classes are ballet-curated conditioning and strengthening courses based on the PBT program hosted by our PBT certified teacher, Mrs. Terriquez. The PBT program was created by professional ballerina and RAD-trained teacher, Marie Walton-Mahon. Classes focus on training students using ballet-specific techniques that enforce muscle memory and weight placement to enhance their posture, placement, and alignment.

Advanced 1 & 2 students are automatically enrolled in one hour of PBT Ballet Conditioning as part of their registration and do not need to register separately for the class.

Open Adult Ballet
Ages 18+
Semester enrollment

Adults can enjoy learning the foundations of ballet while developing confidence, mental concentration, physical coordination, and grace. These adult ballet classes are for students who are new to ballet, students who want to dance but never had the opportunity, and those who have danced before and want to begin again.

RAD CDT Teacher-Prep Course
Ages 18+
Full-year enrollment, program is two (2) years total

This is a prep-class for adult students who are interested in becoming a RAD Registered Teacher using the RAD CDT (Ballet) Programme.

What is the RAD CDT Programme?
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) offers a Certification in Dance (Ballet) Teaching (CDT) that can allow any adult (18+) to become certified as a RAD-registered ballet teacher through their institution. For students who do not have a degree in dance or a background in professional dancing, this certification program is one of the best options for starting your ballet career and becoming a registered teacher.

An optional pre-requisite for students entering into the RAD CDT (Ballet) Programme is to hold the RAD Intermediate Exam, or a recognized equivalent examination in ballet.

What is the Academy RAD CDT Teacher-Prep Course?
The Academy’s RAD CDT Teacher-Prep Course will strive to present the information and movements required to pass the RAD Intermediate Exam and give you the opportunity to attempt the exam at our academy location. This course will cover preparation in barre work, center practice, adage, allegro, free enchainments, variations, and pointe work*. Upon completion and passing of the RAD Intermediate Exam, students may then begin their application with RAD for the CDT (Ballet) Programme. Students who take the RAD Exam do so at the recommendation of Mr. Needhammer, the academy’s RAD-Registered Teacher.

The RAD CDT (Ballet) Programme is offered through RAD and not through the Academy. Students accepted into the RAD CDT (Ballet) Programme may return to our academy to complete the required mentoring hours (see our RAD Teacher Mentoring Program, below).

Students in the academy’s RAD CDT Teacher-Prep Course must complete two years of the program in order to attempt the RAD Intermediate Exam at our academy, unless given special permission by Mr. Andrew Needhammer. This exception must be determined prior to December of the fall semester, as that is the deadline to register for the RAD exams the following spring.

*Female students

RAD CDT Teacher Mentoring Program
Ages 18+
Full-year enrollment

The Academy’s RAD CDT Teacher Mentoring Program is for Adult Students currently completing the Royal Academy of Dance Certification in Dance Teaching (Ballet) Programme, and need to complete their mentoring hours. Students must already be accepted into the RAD CDT (Ballet) Programme and must show that they have completed the necessary pre-requisites within the CDT Programme before beginning their mentoring hours as a Student Teacher.

The student teacher would attend an average of 3 classes per week under the supervision of the mentor, Andrew Needhammer (ARAD, RAD RTS), which will include 15 classes of team teaching (partial class) and 28 classes of solo teaching (partial class), all under the supervision of the mentor. During the course of the semester, the mentor will observe the student teacher’s teaching skills, lesson planning, and subject knowledge for the teaching of RAD grades 1-5, Intermediate Foundation and/or intermediate-level classes. The student teacher will attend regular review meetings for an additional hour per week with the mentor to check their progress according to RAD CBTS guidelines.

All dates listed below are subject to change. Any changes will be communicated via email.

Tiny Dancers
Ages 3–5 by June of calendar year
June 3–7 | June 10–14 | June 24–28 | July 22–26 | July 29–August 2

Join Ms. Heather this summer for a three-day dance week for our tiniest dancers! Classes run on Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 8–8:45 am. Students will focus on creative movement and introductory ballet techniques.

Enrollment is on a weekly basis, and five weekly sessions are available this summer (see the session dates above).

Dance Around the World
Ages 6–11 by June of calendar year
(School grades 1^st–6^th for fall 2024)
June 3–7 | June 24–28 | July 22–26 | July 29–August 2

Ms. Heather is back with Dance Around the World! Each week focuses on a different culture from various countries or regions across the globe and is perfect for first-time dancers or continuing students. Explore various dances performed around the world, including traditional folk dances! Students also get to do culture-related crafts and put together a mini ballet based on a folktale from the theme of the week to share with family and friends on the final day of class. Past featured areas have included Polynesian Islands, Scandinavia, France, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain, and more!

Enrollment is on a weekly basis, and four weekly sessions are available this summer (see the session dates above).

Summer Ballet Camps
Entering RAD grades 2–Advanced 2 in the fall semester
(School grades 3^rd–12^th for fall 2024)
June 3–7 | June 10–14 | June 24–28 | July 29–August 2

Join us for our new week-long Summer Ballet Camps! Divided into junior and senior levels, both camps will provide ballet-specific review of materials, while following a general weekly theme (Pirouettes, Jetés, Relevés, etc.).

Enrollment is on a weekly basis, and four weekly sessions are available this summer (see the session dates above).

Dance Camp
Entering RAD grades 1–Advanced 2 in the fall semester
(School grades 2^nd–12^th for fall 2024)
July 8–19

The camp is expected to run from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m. depending on age group. All classes will be hosted in the Academy building or NAU’s Kitt School of Music.

Join Mr. Needhammer, Ms. Heather, Mrs. Terriquez, Ms. Whitehurst and Dr. Levine for a two-week dive into:

Modern Dance & Choreography
Ballet Choreography
PBT Conditioning
Jazz
Tap
Performance Studies
Music Studies

All students should to plan to bring lunch to camp! Students will only be allowed to leave for lunch with a parent or guardian and will not be allowed to leave the building alone until departure time unless they are signed out. This applies to ALL students registered for the camp (including high school students). This is for the safety of our students, as the areas around the academy are known for high levels of fast-paced traffic.

Registration will close for both weeks of camp on Monday, July 8 at 8:00 a.m.

Festival of Science
Entering RAD grades 1–Advanced 2 in the fall semester
(School grades 2^nd–12^th for fall 2024)
August 5–22 | Performance September 20 in Ardrey Auditorium.

Classes are held during three weeks August, Monday-Thursday and work toward a collaborative performance in September at the Flagstaff Festival of Science. Sections are divided into two RAD Grade levels: grade 1 – Intermediate Foundations and Intermediate – Advanced 2. The final performance will occur as part of the opening ceremony for the annual Flagstaff Festival of Science. Please check their website for updated opening night schedule information and other events.

Tickets will be available through NAU’s Central Ticketing Office.

Dancers should plan to enroll in fall classes, as weekly classes will start before the final performance.

Intro Adult Ballet Workshop
Adult dancers (ages 18+)
June 12–14

This workshop is meant for beginner adult ballet students interested in trying out ballet for the first time, or who are getting back into ballet after a long break. Classes will cover fundamental ballet vocabulary and techniques and will be taught by Mr. Andrew Needhammer (ARAD, RAD RTS). Class meets Wednesday/Thursday/Friday from 5:30–7:00 p.m.

Students are asked to bring their own ballet shoes. Please wear what you are most comfortable dancing in. No jeans, cargo shorts, or bathing suits. No glittery or see-through materials. No bare midrifs or going shirtless.

Open Adult Ballet
Adult dancers (ages 18+)
June 3–7 | June 24–28 | July 29–August 2

Join the Academy for open Adult Ballet classes! Classes will include practice of barre work, pirouettes, adage, allegro, and more, and will be taught by Mr. Andrew Needhammer (ARAD, RAD RTS). Classes will run Monday–Friday from 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Enrollment is on a weekly basis, and three weekly sessions are available this summer (see the session dates above).

Ballet student holding up the tip of her skirt as part of a rehearsal.

RAD exams

The Royal Academy of Dance promotes examinations as a way to track and monitor student progression through the program, and to help maintain RAD standards throughout all studios that host their syllabus. The exams are available to all students in Primary-Advanced 2, as well as to adult students. The academy hosts the exams at our studios, and RAD sends out an examiner to judge the sessions. The exams typically take place sometime in March or April, though the exact dates change from year to year. Students who register for the exams will be sent the final schedule once it has been released, typically in mid-to-late February.

While most of the exams are optional, we do encourage all students to take them each year. The exams help the students assess their own progression and give them goals to work on as they move forward. Exam results are never shared with anyone other than the student and their family and are not meant to be a competitive aspect.

However, the academy does use the exams for some important areas:

Students must pass the grade 5 exam in order to go en pointe and move into Intermediate Foundations.
Students must pass the Intermediate and Advanced 1 exams in order to move into the next class.
Exam results are used to determine soloist positions in The Nutcracker for Advanced 1 & 2 students and for the grade 2 roles of Clara and Fritz (based on the results of the Grade 1 exams).

Registration for the exams closes in December of each year. Exam registration is done through Active Network and is a session add-on attached to your core ballet class. If you have questions about the exams or how to sign up, please reach out!

Dance Academy registration

RAD is based on British grade levels, but we base our registration on American age levels and school grades. RAD grades are one year off from American school grades (RAD grade 1 is for 2^nd grade students, RAD grade 5 is for 6^th grade students, etc.). Our registration requirements are meant to keep students with their school age groups. Please see our dance program below for more information on the RAD program. Registration for the academy is handled online through Active Network. Once you register, you will have an account with Active Network that you can access at any time to check your classes, your balance, and your supplemental forms, among other things.

Please Note: You do NOT need to purchase an Active Network membership or the class cancellation insurance. These are not a part of the academy’s registration. If you accidentally purchase either of these, please request a refund through activenetsupport@activenetwork.com. Please read through our Parent Handbook for details on classes and age requirements, in addition to our schedules, gear requirements, policies, and more.

Fall 2024 registration

Please stay in touch for fall 2024 registration dates and schedules, to be released by June of 2024.

Spring 2024 registration

Enrollment deadline: January 26, 2024
Withdrawal deadline: March 22, 2024

Registration for the spring 2024 semester has now closed for everything except private lessons. Please reach out to the academy at Academy@nau.edu to discuss possible enrollment options for the spring semester.

Spring 2024 Dance Schedule